Spark-plug construction for internal-combustion engines



March 9 1926. 1,576,384

E. A. WATTS SPARK PLUG CONSTRUCTION FOR .INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES File oct. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1

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March 9 ,1'926. 1'-;-576,384

' E. A. WATTS SPARK PLUG CONSTRUCTION FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES- Filed Oct. 25, 9 4 2 SheetS-SHeet-Z FIG. 2

INVENTOR. ELME R #775 .4 TToRNEYs.

Patented Mar. 9, 1926.

UNITED, STATES PATENT: OFFICE;

nLMEn A. WA'rrs, or SPRINGFIELD, orrroynssrenoa r'o irnn MILLER IMPROVED Gas ENGINE COMPANY, or SPRINGFIELD, oHro, A CORPORATION oroHIo.

SPARK-PLUG- GONSTRUGTION INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed October 23,1924. Serial No. 745,336.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that L'ELMER A. WAr'rs,a

citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spark-Plug Construction for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specificaa tion, reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawing. a i invention relates to internal combustion engines and in particular to'the ignition apparatus therefor. v

p lt is my object to providea readily controlled ignition apparatusfor use in internal combustion engines particularly those of large size and horse power used in localities where gas is present and Where safety is desired in connection with the ignition apparatus. V

It is my object to provide a sealed spark plug construction which will minimize the danger ofthis apparatus when in the presence ofgases.

It is a further object of my invention of providing a dual ignition system having this protection feature so, that onespark plug can be rendered inoperative while the other is functioning. y i a i It is the object of my invention of having the means to alternately use the plugs for any cylinder, sealing the plugwhichis not used so that the plug which is inoperative can be removed and replaced without .releasing the load on the engine.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a section through one end of an internal combustion engine and in particular through the inlet valve casing and inlet valve, showing in section the spark.

plug casing with the ignition apparatus such as plugs and contact wires in position, together with the control mechanism for controlling the application of the current to the particular spark plug in action;

Figure 2 is a plan view of this mechanism with the cover removed; and

Figure 3 is a bottom plan View showing the sealing mechanism for the spark plug which is inoperative. V s 7 Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 indicates the outside casing of a cylinder head construction which contains the water pas- 'sageways 2 for carrying the cylinder head of the valve casings of which 3 is the inlet valve casing controlled by the inlet valve 4. 5 is the inlet passageway which. com} municates around the valve- 4 with the passageway ('3 whichleads into the engine. The valve casing 3 is a cylindrical member having the upper end thereof open, but adapted to be sealed by the bottom plate? resting on the shoulders 8 of the'inlet valve casing 3. Thisbottom plate has interposedbetween it and thencasing 3 the packing ring 9; The incoming fuel passes beneath [this bottom plate and sweeps over the spark'plugs 1Q whichare 'mounted in such plate and have their lower ends projecting into. the path of the incoming gases which are used, as fuel for the internal combustion engineof which this apparatus is a part. These plugs 10 are arranged in pairs preferably} The apertures through which the plugs project are alternately sealed by the sealing plate 11. This plate is carried on a verticalshaft 12 which projects upwardly through the plate 7 into the spark plug chamber 13 and through the spark plug chamber cap 14. On

its upper end is mounted a handle 15 for controlling each of the spark plugs for rendering either inoperative. This spark plug chamber is formed by the upwardly extend ing cup shapedwalls 16;, andthe bottom of the cup is formed by the bottom plate 7. These ,walls are provided with overhanging shoulders 17 resting on the shoulders 18 of the casing 1. Cooling fluid passes around this cup inthe passageways 19. A sealing adj acent thereto which may be in the path of movement of such a wire. The base of this V-shaped wire is attached to a terminal 26 which in turn is connected to the main cable 27. This cable is led out through an insulating collar preferably of porcelain marked 28 which has a tapered exterior 29 fitting into a correspondingly shaped upwardly projecting collar or throat 30 formed integrally with the cap 14: so that no leaks age of gas can take place at this point,

Thus the entire contact apparatus for conduit atone end being hermetically sealed in a"cha 'mber, the terminals of the spark plug-projecting through one wall of said chamber for access to incoming fuel, said chamber having the bottom thereof formmg a} detachable tpp'for aivalve casing.

In aninternal combustion engine, a main casing, a valve casing, an ignition apparatus consisting of a spark plug, a source of current supplied thereto by a conduit, said plug and conduit at one end being sealed in a chamber, the terminals of the spark plug projecting through one wall of said chamber for access to incoming fuel, saidfchainber having the bottom thereof forn'ii'ngfadetachable top for the valve cas ing, and having portions on the side walls thereof to rest on the outside of the main casing containing cooling "fluid for passage around the valve casing an'dthe spark plug ham r 1 I 3. In an'internal combustion engine,'an ignition apparatus consisting of a spark plug, a source of current supplied thereto by a conduit, said plugandconduit at one end being hermetically sealed in a chamber, the term nals of the spark plug projecting through one wall of said chamber for access to incoming fuel, and means in said chamber adapted to make the contact between the conduit and the spark plug or break it. 4, In an internal combustion engine, an ignition apparatus consistingof a' spark plug, a source of current supplied thereto by a conduit, said plugand conduit at one end being "hermetically, sealed in 'a chamber,

the terminals of the spark plu'g'projecting through one wall of said chamber for access to incommg fuel, means in said chamber adapted to make the contact between the conduit andfthe spark plug or break it, and

means outside of said chamber'for controlg said making and breaking of thecir: cuit. J j r 5. In an internal combustion engine, an

ignition-j apparatus consisting of I a spark plug, a' source of current supplied thereto 'by a conduit, said plug and conduit at one making or breaking the circuit is enclosed, in a sealed chamber to prevent accident due end being hermetically sealed in a chamber, the terminals of the s' ark plug projecting through one wall of saldc hamber for access to incoming fuel, means said chamber adapted to make the contact between the conduit and the spark plug or break it, means outside of said chamber for controlling said making and breaking of the circuit, and means outside of said chamber for sealing the terminals of said plug when the current is cut oil by breaking the circuit. l

6.- In an internal combustion engine, an ignition apparatus consisting of a spark plug, a source of current supplied thereto by a conduit, said plug and conduit at one end being hermetically, sealed in a chamber, the terminals of the spark plug projecting through ene wall of said chamber for'accessto incoming fueLand means controlled from the outside of the chamber for sealing said spark 'plug Whenthe circuit is broken.

7 In an internal combustion engine, an' ignition apparatus consisting ofa hermeticallysealed chamber; an electricalconduit conveyed through a'sealed opening into said chamber, a pair of spark plugs mounted in said chamber having their terminals projecting through the wall thereof and'exposed onthe outside of the'chamber, a con? tact member connected to said conduit and adapted to be moved by means exterior of saidchamber, said contact member being adapted to render both plugs inoperative or engage either 'oneof said plugs for render ing it operative.

8. In an internal combustion engine, an ignition apparatus consisting of a hermetically sealed chamber, an electrical conduit adapted to render both plugs inoperative or engage either one of said plugs for rendering it operative on the outside of said chamherand controlled by said ignition controllingmeans for sealing that plug which is rendered inoperative.

9. In aninternal combustion engine, a cylinder head casing, an inlet valve casing therein having in oneportion an inlet passageway and in another portion an outletpassageway, and a top formed in said valve casing along the path of the incoming fuel by a bottom plate mounted on said valve casing, a cup-mounted on said bottom plate, spark plugs projecting through said cup into said valve chamber, a sealed top for said cup, a

conduit for electric current projected into said cup but sealed where it passes through the sealed top for said cup, and means on the outside of the said cap for controlling the operation of said spark plugs in the cup.

10. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder head casing an inlet valve casing therein having in one portion an inlet pas sageway and in another portion an outlet assa ewa and a to formed in said valve casing along the path of the incoming fuel by 'a bottom plate mounted on said valve casing, a cup mounted on said bottom plate, spark plugs projecting through said cup into said valve chamber, a sealed top for said cup, a conduit for electric current pro-' jected into said cup but sealed where it passes through the sealed top for said cup, and means on the outside of the said cup for controlling the operation of said spark plugs in the cup, and means controlled by the same means for sealing the plug-which is not in operation where it projects into the inlet casing through the bottom plate.

11. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder head casing, an inlet valve casing therein having in one portion an inlet passageway and in another portion an outlet passageway, a top formed in said casing along the path of the incoming fuel, a bottom plate mounted on said valve casing,a cup mounted on said bottom plate, spark plugs projecting through said cup into said valve chamber, a sealed top for said cup, a

'ELMER A. WATTS.

' In testimony'whereofl aflix my signature. 7 

